Beh Lih Yi
March 13, 2008
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has vehemently refuted Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s claim that he was stoking racial tension over the issue of dismantling the New Economy Policy (NEP) in the island state.
In a sign that could signal the start of a rocky relationship between the federal and the state governments, Lim has instead slammed Abdullah for seeking to provoke racial tensions with his allegations.
“I said we will have an open-tender system (in Penang). What’s the problem with that? Unless Abdullah doesn’t like open tenders but corruption, cronyism and inefficiency.
“I don’t understand what has it (abolishing the NEP) got to do with marginalising the Malay or the Indian community. I think he is not right, (he’s) going on the wrong facts and trying to provoke (racial) sentiment,” Lim told a press conference after witnessing the swearing-in of 10 of his state excos at the Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Yesterday, Abdullah expressed his dismay over the plan by the DAP-led state government not to practise the NEP, an affirmative action policy which favours the bumiputeras.
“Do not marginalise the Malays. I want to ask Lim Guan Eng what are his plans for the Malays in Penang. What are his plans for the Indians in Penang. What are his plans for other minority groups in Penang?” said Abdullah.
Who hold the shares?
At the press conference, the Penang CM argued that the NEP was a source of corruption, citing the example of the unequal distribution of wealth, including shares which were ‘swallowed up’ by a few selected individuals.
“If they want to help Malaysians, I asked these people to ‘vomit out’ some of the (bumiputera) shares… Who hold these shares? Perhaps (Umno Wanita chief) Rafidah Aziz,” he claimed.
“We have not enacted any policy which marginalises a certain group. The only decision that we have made is to waive the (traffic and hawkers) summonses – tell me, which group loses out with that?”
In a sarcastic tone, Lim said the premier’s criticism could have been linked to his revelation yesterday that the RM25 billion project of the Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) had yet been approved by the local authorities.
“I understand why he may not be happy with my decision on the PGCC, but the PGCC is not even related to a Malay developer,” argued the Penang CM.
The PGCC is undertaken by developer Abad Naluri, an associate company of Equine Capital Berhad which is controlled by the premier’s ally, businessman Patrick Lim.
Abdullah ‘not informed’
Lim also suggested that the Prime Minister might have made his criticism without checking out the facts beforehand.
“The PM maybe provoked by Utusan Malaysia – that I wouldn’t know. (But) I understand, because when he launched the PGCC, he was not informed that the project was not even approved, still he went ahead and launched it – this could be just the same case,” a combative Lim said.
Asked on his assurance to the Malay community in the state that they would not be marginalised, Lim reiterated that his government is for all races.
Meanwhile, PKR – DAP’s ally in the state government – gave the party’s backing to the Penang state government on the decision to do away with NEP.
“The NEP is no longer new – it has been there for 30 years and it has failed to a certain extent,” said Bayan Baru Member of Parliament Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, who is also PKR state chief.
“It’s time to explain to Malaysians about the Malaysian Economic Agenda which is fairer,” said Zahrain, referring to the need-based policy advocated by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
“The Malays would not be sidelined in the new state government, this is an assurance that Lim has given to me and it’s the duty of the state government to ensure all communities are taken care of,” said Zahrain.
Comment:
It is typical of UMNO-BN leadership that they cannot accept the verdict of Malaysians. The Barisan Rakyat won decisively, capturing 5 states (Kelantan retained by PAS) and denying the UMNO-BN coalition the much needed 2/3rds majority in Parliament. But this reality is hard to take.
In stead of getting on with their own business, the weakened Badawi Government is diverting public attention away from the urgent business of running the country and restoring public and business confidence. They are resorting to the cheap trick— with dire consequences in its aftermath—of stoking the flames of racism, especially in raising undue concerns about the NEP, which has been the means to extract “economic rents” for the political elite, their families, friends and cronies over the last 37 years (since 1970).
UMNO leadership in particular is using Utusan Malaysia to inflame Malay passions. It will not work if we Malaysians, as very rational and responsible people, do not allow ourselves to be drawn into the political crossfire. My sincere advice to Prime Minister Badawi is that he should look at his own weaknesses and work ethics, and deal with corruption within his own party and in the coalition government, act with courage and conviction and lead the nation. If he cannot lead, then he must commit “political hara-kiri” and accept full responsibility for this fiasco.
Badawi should accept the massive loss he and his colleagues suffered on March 8, 2008 and move on. Stop playing the racial card as it will not work. The ghost of May 13, 1969 has been expunged and we are now in the 21st century. More importantly, for his own sake, he must deal with his own political survival because most UMNO members are dissatisfied with his leadership.—Din Merican
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
yuo, agree with you din. just asking you again to get involved in the state administration. your credibility and experience will be a tremendous source of strength and wisdom for the fledging administration. best wishes, din and i hope you will take up my suggestion.
yh, thanks for your confidence. I leave that to Anwar and the Party. We have plenty to do at the center.—Din Merican
Din,
BN and UMNO seems to think that the DEB is such a sacrosanct document that nobody can do anything with it. They forget that in Penang the main objectives of DEB have long been ignored by the BN. Thats one of the reason why they were trounced in the election – they have lost the real spirit of DEB. What happens to the scholarships for the Malay students. This was among the most successful agenda of DEB and they conveniently put it aside, while keeping the aspects that can easily benefit their selected few intact. They forgot that even in the other states, the gap between the haves and have nots among the Malays hase been increasing. So they themselves, in practise, have put DEB aside. Either that or they have failed miserably in its implementation.
If after so many years UMNO Penang keeps on claiming the Malays need to be protected, what happened to the DEB in Penang ? It is obvious they have not been doing their job. It either has not been successful or not been implemented successfully. Either way, it calls for a change. Why only one day after change in government they are jumping up and down crying fowl when the fault have been theirs and have been there for a long time. They should allow the coalition government in Penang to show their ability to manage the state. For a change, can the BN and UMNO Penang specifically put aside their own personal interests and start thinking about the Malays in Penang and all Penangites.
I am also amazed at UMNO Penang’s statement that the Federal Government should pull back all the proposed projects in Penang. What they actually believe that BN owns this country ? Can all Penangites now decide not to pay their income tax because the Federal Government is stopping all projects in Penang(of course we assume the projects are good for the state) ? Where will we end up with these kind of arguments and actions ? UMNO Penang believes Malaysia is a democratic country and we can vote anyone – as long as it is BN ? Where do these people come from ? I think they need a subsidy for major brain surgery. Maybe Mr. Lim Guan Eng can consider this – he will be of great help to the people in Penang.
Din, UMNO is a pochee. A major brain surgery is needed. Since this is quite impossible, UMNO is a sunset political set-up. Regards.—Din Merican
SCRAPPPPP NEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See how Penang Malays have been used by UMNO Penang. They just don’t seem to be able to see it and I feel so sad for them.
Come on my Penangites, don’t hide in your tempurung and remain a misinformed society! Get out of there for some fresh air, talk to people, learn to surf the net for knowledge, read!
Don’t you realise that UMNO is a fraud and what their leaders are using you for their benefit and what they know best is stir up tension otherwise they need to perform harakiri on themselves to save their butt.
Sorry:
…”and that their leaders are>>”
Hello DAP, PKR & PAS.
Looks like the media is not giving the right coverage to opposition side. Since you peope are in control of 5 state I challenge you people to warn MEDIA PAPER & NEWS PAPER to view thr right thing….now is the time to warn these media’s.
I suggest we stop them selling in these 5 states if they contineue to support current goverment…